“However, as of December 2016, only 39% of people in mental health hospitals have had a review in the last six months.”

‘Not improving quickly enough’

James Taylor is head of policy at disability charity Scope. He said the report shows the social care system is not improving quickly enough.

He added: “All disabled should have the social care support that allows them to live the life they chose. Sadly, this doesn’t happen for too many disabled people.”

Sarah Battershall is the director of operations with disabilities charity United Response. She said the PAC report makes no mention of “immediate funding pressures” on social care.

Up to 28,000 people with learning disabilities living in the community are at risk of a return to institutionalisation, she warned.

Such a scenario could could happen unless “urgent action is taken”, she said.

‘Real risk’ to getting people out of mental health hospitals

MPs on the committee also expressed concern. They pointed to proposed changes in the local housing allowance. The allowance is a way of working out how much benefit people can get to help pay the rent.

The MPs warned that the alterations pose a “real risk”. The danger was that it would stop people being able to get out of mental health hospitals and into the community.

There are concerns that the proposed changes may leave people without enough money to pay the higher rent they are likely to face for specialist housing.